Horse lovers concerned about abuse - you CAN help !

Shysmum

Shysmum

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It is happening NOW, and is not just on the news. Lots we don't know about.

http://www.redwings.org.uk/news-caerphilly2013.php

This is going to become more of an issue now that the "loop hole" allowing these ponies around the country to become burgers has been closed. Who wants them now ? Hundreds if not thousands around Darlington with no-one throwing out a welcome mat - makes me sooo angry.

If you can help, you can donate to Redwings - You can donate by texting 70070 with RWHS00 and the amount ........

Or can anyone help with homes for any rescue ponies ?? If not Redwings, the rescue centres are over flowing with unwanted horses.

I so wish i had the land to offer one a home with me for life. Hopefully that will change in the near future - but guys it is us who can help these charities.

Tbh, I am so sad that the Welsh Rescue post on here has only had 16 replies - and we are the ones that can help.
 
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Obviously donations help, and are, im sure greatly appreciated - and good on everyone who can, and does, offer financial help.
But There's another way to try and solve this problem. It's called education. It is not up to rescue centres to carry these horses that people can't be bothered with.
I don't know if, in this case, the horses are all homebred? But many rescues are not - many were once "somebody's"

I have just got back from seeing two horses no longer required. They are in a caring but fairly inexperienced home. They rely on a "professional" to school them once a week.

Both horses are (imo) currently unfit for work. The young horse is as stiff as a board, has had it's head dragged in and isn't right behind. The old horse - well, it's back is as tight as a drum, and is apparently tricky to mount. I'm not surprised. These are the types that end up as rescues (if they're lucky) given how few good homes there are, there's a good chance these horses would be better off PTS now.

I go out on a limb every day, and probably make myself unpopular with fellow professionals, by telling people the truth. No, I will not school your horse, it's not sound. No, you should not sell your horse, it has no "use" and is not suitable as a companion, you should shoot it. No, your horse is not just "like that" it's telling you it has a problem.

Everybody has a responsibility to their own horses. But I believe we also have a responsibility to constantly increase our knowledge and share it with anyone who's horses are in need, when we can, before it gets too bad.

Ignorance is a massive part of the problem. If people didn't turn blind eyes -instructors, at shows, on yards etc, but tactfully intervene, we could make a difference
 
Absolutely - education is everything, and hopefully the message has now started to sink in that there will not be a market for animals that are constantly over - bred.

I really do hope that the shock of not being able to sell your pony to Billy Bloggs for slaughter has hit home. But in the mean time, what happens to the pony ?
 
Norfolk Pie said:
Obviously donations help, and are, im sure greatly appreciated - and good on everyone who can, and does, offer financial help.
But There's another way to try and solve this problem. It's called education. It is not up to rescue centres to carry these horses that people can't be bothered with.
I don't know if, in this case, the horses are all homebred? But many rescues are not - many were once "somebody's"

I have just got back from seeing two horses no longer required. They are in a caring but fairly inexperienced home. They rely on a "professional" to school them once a week.

Both horses are (imo) currently unfit for work. The young horse is as stiff as a board, has had it's head dragged in and isn't right behind. The old horse - well, it's back is as tight as a drum, and is apparently tricky to mount. I'm not surprised. These are the types that end up as rescues (if they're lucky) given how few good homes there are, there's a good chance these horses would be better off PTS now.

I go out on a limb every day, and probably make myself unpopular with fellow professionals, by telling people the truth. No, I will not school your horse, it's not sound. No, you should not sell your horse, it has no "use" and is not suitable as a companion, you should shoot it. No, your horse is not just "like that" it's telling you it has a problem.

Everybody has a responsibility to their own horses. But I believe we also have a responsibility to constantly increase our knowledge and share it with anyone who's horses are in need, when we can, before it gets too bad.

Ignorance is a massive part of the problem. If people didn't turn blind eyes -instructors, at shows, on yards etc, but tactfully intervene, we could make a difference
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Absolutely agree entirely with this. I know as do many of us folks who want a quick quid, and dont want to pull the trigger. If a rescue centre or any professional comes across the type you describe I would hope they PTS to keep their resources for the healthier ones with a future. But I will donate. Thanks for the reminder.
 
I used to be an RSPCA Inspector (sorry I know..) and any horse that did not have future because of health issues would be carefully assessed and if necessary PTS. The case I was lead for, three horses were PTS on site.

Dealing with horse abuse on any scale involves very tough decisions. A lot of these ponies would have been better off PTS immediately, unless they had the option of "rescue" - many dont.
 
The thing is, in my experience, the people who actually do the sending are probably not that bothered are they? I mean, they were buying the horses to send there? So they just won't buy them (or will find another outlet :( )

Private people will have their horse destroyed at home, hopefully, unless money is much too tight, in which case the horse is worse off, as it will now be given away/ left to starve. My vets told me yesterday that they are seeing so many poor horses that would be bette destroyed.

It's the people who pass their "useless" horses on, which end up being passed from pillar to post.

This is why it makes me cross when people take short cuts. Horse ultimately goes lame or develops "issues". Either way it falls into a downward spiral. And it's such a quick drop. This is what ie seen happen probably 10. Times in last year. Badly produced but smart "eventer" is purchased by teenage girl for approx £5k. Becomes difficult to ride, due to incorrect foundations that have been coved up. Teenage girl struggles with said horse for 6 months, sells for 2k, bemoaning losses. Horse has now got physical and behavioural issues. Lasts approx 6 months in next home. Sold on for £1500. Pretty soon it's £500 for a lame horse that naps/bucks/rears. Heart breaking:(
 
I have to say I think that most, if not all, of the horses in this case should have been euthenised on site. The rescue centres are all full, these horses have very little, or no, future 'value' and therefore no future outside a rescue centre. Given that people can't rehome reasonably well bred and working horses, I cannot see that these equines are going to find homes queing up for them :(
 
I totally agree. As tough as it is, a bullet in the head is going to be the way a lot of these excess ponies have to be dealt with. THAT is the reality of over breeding, and now the lack of the horse/beef market.

A fellow livery was amazed a few weeks back when I told her I had shot many horses - but that is a fact of life in the welfare remit. She was absolutely stunned. I did not dare tell her how many animals I had to PTS every day. :(
 
Shysmum said:
I totally agree. As tough as it is, a bullet in the head is going to be the way a lot of these excess ponies have to be dealt with. THAT is the reality of over breeding, and now the lack of the horse/beef market.

A fellow livery was amazed a few weeks back when I told her I had shot many horses - but that is a fact of life in the welfare remit. She was absolutely stunned. I did not dare tell her how many animals I had to PTS every day. :(
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Maybe it is time that the welfare organisations/charities did start telling the public how many animals they are having to PTS, as that may be the only way to get the message through, about over breeding of all species. I know there will be some who don't get it and blame the charities, but they must get the message cross somehow.
 
Do you remember there was an ad by the RSPCA of a HUGE pile of dead dogs ? That ad got so many complaints, it was banned. People just do not want to know the truth, but i still think that ad was the best ever.

http://www.sofii.org/node/167

People have no idea what over breeding of all species involves. And i keep coming back to my coloured cobs in Bishop Aukland - this is why I have such affection for piebalds.
 
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Please do donate to Redwings. My RSPCA monthly donation has been cancelled since the £326k debacle and this money has been redirected to Redwings.
 
Blue Cross have put out an appeal this week for people to take one of their young rescued ponies as companions until they are old enough to go back to the Centre for training and being ridden.

They are very supportive if you take one of their ponies, and help with some of the basic costs like worming for companion ponies.

I am no good at attaching links, but it is on the Blue Cross Rolleston Centre facebook page.
 
Whilst everyone who donates is trying to do a good thing its doesn't really solve the long problem. Charities are huge buisnesses and I think whilist the peoples heart is in the right place I refuse to donate. I do not want my money to feed some young or old horse which has been bred often with confirmation defects and then been malnourished so they may have potentail long term problems, spend huge amounts of money on vets fees and then they perhaps spend their life as potentially as a field ornimant.
It looks good on the advertising and generates donations but it doesn't stop the problem.
My heart wants to give one a home, I have the space, my head tells me what ever I took on could live for 25 years plus. It's storeing trouble for the future.
Near me there are 30 plus black and whites on a bank. They are checked and fed but as they are the wrong sort for the serious moneyed traveller and they are too small for the riding market. I do not know if they are in foal for this year but looking at the cost of haylage there is no money to be made from these. So why are they breeding them? Is it a cultral thing and is education or finding proper markets for these ponies at source, even if it for meat better than continueing the cycle? The charities should be spending money on research on the causes and what gives them the best long term outcome.
Please if you are going to get a youngster that will make your dream riding horse for the future, which have the chance of long term knowledgable homes, do not buy cheap. Buy from a breeder that has chosen and perhaps paid for a descent stallion and has paid for worming, trimming and vaccinations from the day of its birth. In the currant market buying from a small knowable breeder who does not breed 20 plus ponies a year just because they a frightened the empty mares gets laminitis (or the other corker is to protect blood lines) will problabely cost you little more than a rough one.
 
Shysmum said:
Do you remember there was an ad by the RSPCA of a HUGE pile of dead dogs ? That ad got so many complaints, it was banned. People just do not want to know the truth, but i still think that ad was the best ever.

http://www.sofii.org/node/167

People have no idea what over breeding of all species involves. And i keep coming back to my coloured cobs in Bishop Aukland - this is why I have such affection for piebalds.
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Yes I agree people don't want to know the truth but I think the hard fact is that telling the unvarnished truth would not be great for donations.
I also think some rescue places don't help themselves I thought about offering a horse a home but the organisation I thought about going to had as a condition I could not PTS ever without permission and if the horse was returned to them I was responsible for it vets care forever with no control over what was done I surprised anyone takes one on those terms.
I had an extraordinary experiance last time I wanted a cat my cat ( from RSPCA) was sadly run over so I went to local RSPCA shop that had posters in the window looking for homes for lots of cats went in explained my cat had been killed and I was looking to give a home to another I had to endure the most ludicrous interrogation the tone of the volunteer was offensive I will buy a kittern next time.
Another welfare organisation turned down my SIL for a dog because she works one hour per day that's mad , experianced owners, secure garden they have another dog it's crackers.
 
Thanks SM. I had meant to do this yesterday and didn't get to it. :o You have prompted me and donation now made. I do understand eductation is the way forward in the long term......however these charities do need our help right now. Imagine if everyone on this forum donated just £5......half a bag of feed.......:)

I do wish I could take one but 3 is my limit financially......one of them was a rescue though
 
The thing with all the coloureds being over bred is partly due to the culture - the more horses you have, the higher your status type of thing. Horses are currency, therefore you are rich.

BUT they are all 12 - 13 ish hands, so not much use to a lot of people. So the only conclusion I can come to is that they are being bred for the meat industry ? If that is the case, someone needs to get researching exactly WHAT is going on. The life cycle of these ponies really.

Up here, these ponies are in fields full of slag heaps and stuff. I am surprised the council hasn't done anything to tackle the issue.
 
I donated some money, I agree that it need to be sorted ASAP!

But seriously, imagine if all the members of this forum donated £2 or £3 - such a tiny, tiny amount and we could really help to look after these ponies.
 
Ridingondreams said:
I donated some money, I agree that it need to be sorted ASAP!

But seriously, imagine if all the members of this forum donated £2 or £3 - such a tiny, tiny amount and we could really help to look after these ponies.
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It would, and I totally agree that would be fantastic. But it doesn't solve it, it simply means the rescue homes have got all these guys there when the next Amersham comes up. Somehow we HAVE to stop the breeding, the bad production of horses, the end of line surplus that end up as these pitiful creatures :(
 
Shysmum said:
The thing with all the coloureds being over bred is partly due to the culture - the more horses you have, the higher your status type of thing. Horses are currency, therefore you are rich.

BUT they are all 12 - 13 ish hands, so not much use to a lot of people. So the only conclusion I can come to is that they are being bred for the meat industry ? If that is the case, someone needs to get researching exactly WHAT is going on. The life cycle of these ponies really.

Up here, these ponies are in fields full of slag heaps and stuff. I am surprised the council hasn't done anything to tackle the issue.
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:( I think it would only be luck that anyone within a council would have the faintest idea of what is acceptable for a pony. When the local council to us does Riding School Inspections they rely totally on the vet they bring with them (my vet) to tell them what is/isn't acceptable.

The way forward is most definately to change the culture.........but how???:(

My rescue came from a local travellers site. I actually bought him from them and shortly after that they decided not to have anymore horses as "they were too much work" :) They were slightly different though, as around here they are very much into the trotters and road racing. My poor boy had been road racing at 18 months :( Their horses do sell for huge amounts of money though...the traditional stallions easily £10k and a fast trotter is £ks.......
 
Ridingondreams said:
I donated some money, I agree that it need to be sorted ASAP!

But seriously, imagine if all the members of this forum donated £2 or £3 - such a tiny, tiny amount and we could really help to look after these ponies.
Click to expand...

^^^^^^^^THIS......agree we need to change the culture but these ponies do need our help NOW:)
 
The coloured "mini cobs" that are about 12 - 13hh are selling for lots of money in certain circles from what I've been told. At least they were last year, it seems they are the latest trend. Most of them will end up at Appleby I'd imagine.

It is the trotters that seem to suffer the most - a speed merchant for teenage lads until they damage its legs or it gets too thin and then it is off to the sales to repeat the cycle.

There are herds of coloured cobs that end up at sales that usually go for meat legitimately, I don't think the horsemeat scandal will have any impact on that tbh.

Resources definitely need to be ploughed in to restricting breeding rather than tackling the problem at the other end of the cycle.
 
honetpot said:
Whilst everyone who donates is trying to do a good thing its doesn't really solve the long problem. Charities are huge buisnesses and I think whilist the peoples heart is in the right place I refuse to donate. I do not want my money to feed some young or old horse which has been bred often with confirmation defects and then been malnourished so they may have potentail long term problems, spend huge amounts of money on vets fees and then they perhaps spend their life as potentially as a field ornimant.
It looks good on the advertising and generates donations but it doesn't stop the problem.
My heart wants to give one a home, I have the space, my head tells me what ever I took on could live for 25 years plus. It's storeing trouble for the future.
Near me there are 30 plus black and whites on a bank. They are checked and fed but as they are the wrong sort for the serious moneyed traveller and they are too small for the riding market. I do not know if they are in foal for this year but looking at the cost of haylage there is no money to be made from these. So why are they breeding them? Is it a cultral thing and is education or finding proper markets for these ponies at source, even if it for meat better than continueing the cycle? The charities should be spending money on research on the causes and what gives them the best long term outcome.
Please if you are going to get a youngster that will make your dream riding horse for the future, which have the chance of long term knowledgable homes, do not buy cheap. Buy from a breeder that has chosen and perhaps paid for a descent stallion and has paid for worming, trimming and vaccinations from the day of its birth. In the currant market buying from a small knowable breeder who does not breed 20 plus ponies a year just because they a frightened the empty mares gets laminitis (or the other corker is to protect blood lines) will problabely cost you little more than a rough one.
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I have the space and missed the ponies and horses we always had as a family, and as I am retired I could not afford a competition horse which is why I have two Blue Cross youngster on short term adoption, they will go back to the centre at around 4 and will make lovely childrens ponies. When you see the pictures of how they were when they were abandoned foals to the lovely youngster they are now, I know it is worth it. So I do not have to worry about what happens as I get older, I know they can go back and will always be properly cared for.

I do however agree with PTS, for older animals that have had their best days. I have always been a supporter of if in doubt do the kind thing, don't leave an animal suffering or in unknown care. When I read threads about people considering loaning a horse or pony they no longer want, I wonder why when a horse or pony has given its best years to someone they think someone else should care for it, especially given the high cost of keeping horses and ponies now.

If anyone knows people with space and knowledge, do tell them short term adoption of youngsters is rewarding and gives lots of pleasure, but I would recommend looking around and choosing the right charity.
 
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